My Legacy Planner

Educational PurposeUse this worksheet to define the people, values, assets, responsibilities, and purposes you want your legacy plan to protect. It is designed to help you organize your thoughts before meeting with legal, tax, financial, insurance, healthcare, business, or estate-planning professionals. It does not create or replace a will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive, beneficiary designation, property transfer, business agreement, or other legally enforceable arrangement.

How to Use This Planner

Complete the sections that apply to you. Some questions may require additional discussion with family members or qualified professionals. You do not need to finish everything at once.

1. My Legacy Vision

What Does Legacy Mean to Me?

The values I most want future generations to remember are:

• ☐Faith
• ☐Family unity
• ☐Education
• ☐Financial responsibility
• ☐Hard work
• ☐Generosity
• ☐Integrity
• ☐Service
• ☐Entrepreneurship
• ☐Cultural heritage
• ☐Independence
• ☐Compassion
• ☐Community involvement
• ☐Other

My Legacy Vision Statement

Complete the sentence:

2. The People I Want to Protect

List the people who depend on you financially, emotionally, medically, or practically.

Consider:

• ☐Spouse or partner
• ☐Minor children
• ☐Adult children
• ☐Stepchildren
• ☐Grandchildren
• ☐Parents
• ☐Siblings
• ☐Extended family
• ☐A person with a disability
• ☐A financially dependent adult
• ☐A caregiver
• ☐Employees or business partners
• ☐A church, charity, school, or community organization

The Person Most Financially Dependent on Me

The Person Most Likely to Need Long-Term Support

3. What I Want My Legacy to Accomplish

Mark the goals that matter to you.

• ☐Protect my spouse or partner
• ☐Provide for minor children
• ☐Support adult children
• ☐Help grandchildren
• ☐Fund education or career training
• ☐Maintain housing for a loved one
• ☐Pay debts or final expenses
• ☐Replace lost income
• ☐Preserve family property
• ☐Preserve ancestral or cultural land
• ☐Continue a family business
• ☐Support a person with a disability
• ☐Create structured financial support
• ☐Leave charitable gifts
• ☐Support my church or faith community
• ☐Fund a scholarship
• ☐Preserve family history and traditions
• ☐Transfer intellectual or creative property
• ☐Reduce family confusion
• ☐Prepare for my possible incapacity
• ☐Other

My Three Highest Legacy Priorities

4. My Current Financial Foundation

Before planning what may be transferred, consider your own long-term security.

My Current Financial Priorities

• ☐Retirement income
• ☐Housing
• ☐Emergency savings
• ☐Healthcare expenses
• ☐Long-term care
• ☐Debt repayment
• ☐Supporting dependents
• ☐Business stability
• ☐Insurance protection
• ☐Tax planning
• ☐Other

My Financial-Security Reflection

Do I currently feel financially prepared for retirement?

• ☐Yes
• ☐Somewhat
• ☐No
• ☐Unsure

Could making large gifts now weaken my financial security?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Possibly
• ☐Professional review needed

5. My Asset Snapshot

List your major assets. Exact values are optional at this planning stage.

Assets That Carry Special Meaning

List property that has emotional, cultural, historical, or family importance.

6. My Debt and Obligation Snapshot

List significant debts and continuing obligations.

Liquidity Reflection

Would my estate have enough readily available cash to cover:

• ☐Final expenses
• ☐Mortgage and property expenses
• ☐Legal and accounting fees
• ☐Taxes
• ☐Business expenses
• ☐Support for dependents
• ☐Property maintenance
• ☐Other obligations

7. How My Assets May Transfer

For each major asset, identify the current transfer method.

8. My Beneficiary Plan

Primary Beneficiaries

Contingent Beneficiaries

Beneficiary Considerations

• ☐All named beneficiaries are living.
• ☐Former spouses or partners have been reviewed.
• ☐Contingent beneficiaries are named.
• ☐Percentages total 100%.
• ☐Minor children are not named without a management plan.
• ☐Beneficiaries with disabilities have been considered.
• ☐Trust designations have been reviewed.
• ☐Charitable organizations are identified correctly.
• ☐Former-employer accounts have been reviewed.
• ☐Beneficiary forms match my current intentions.

9. Outright Inheritance or Managed Support?

For each beneficiary, consider whether assets should be received immediately or managed over time.

Managed support may be considered when a beneficiary:

• ☐Is a minor
• ☐Has a disability
• ☐Receives needs-based assistance
• ☐Has difficulty managing money
• ☐May be vulnerable to exploitation
• ☐Has creditor or divorce concerns
• ☐Needs long-term support
• ☐Should receive funds at specific ages or milestones
• ☐Other

10. My Plan for Minor Children

Complete this section when minor children or dependent young people are involved.

Preferred Guardian

Has this person agreed to serve?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Conversation needed

Backup Guardian

Has this person agreed to serve?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Conversation needed

Important Priorities for the Children

• ☐Remain together
• ☐Remain in the same school or community
• ☐Continue religious or spiritual practices
• ☐Maintain cultural traditions
• ☐Continue relationships with extended family
• ☐Receive education funding
• ☐Receive healthcare and special support
• ☐Maintain current activities or routines
• ☐Other

Financial Management for the Children

Should the guardian and financial manager be the same person?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Unsure

Preferred uses for the funds:

• ☐Housing
• ☐Education
• ☐Healthcare
• ☐Daily support
• ☐Transportation
• ☐Career training
• ☐Home purchase
• ☐Entrepreneurship
• ☐Other

11. My Incapacity Plan

Financial Decision-Making

I would want this authority to begin:

• ☐Immediately after the document is signed
• ☐Only after incapacity is established
• ☐For a limited purpose
• ☐I need legal guidance

Possible authority may include:

• ☐Paying bills
• ☐Managing bank accounts
• ☐Managing investments
• ☐Maintaining property
• ☐Handling taxes
• ☐Managing business matters
• ☐Applying for benefits
• ☐Hiring professionals
• ☐Other

Safeguards I may want included:

• ☐Regular accounting
• ☐Independent review
• ☐Limits on gifts
• ☐Limits on property sales
• ☐Joint approval for major decisions
• ☐Professional consultation
• ☐Other

12. My Healthcare Wishes

Healthcare Decision-Maker

What Matters Most to Me

When making healthcare decisions, I would want my agent to prioritize:

• ☐Comfort
• ☐Longevity
• ☐Independence
• ☐Ability to communicate
• ☐Ability to recognize loved ones
• ☐Relief from pain
• ☐Religious or spiritual values
• ☐Remaining at home when possible
• ☐Other

Treatment Preferences to Discuss

• ☐Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• ☐Mechanical ventilation
• ☐Artificial nutrition and hydration
• ☐Dialysis
• ☐Surgery
• ☐Antibiotics
• ☐Blood transfusions
• ☐Pain management
• ☐Comfort-focused care
• ☐Hospice or palliative care
• ☐Organ donation
• ☐Other

13. My Home and Real Estate Plan

Primary Residence

My preferred outcome:

• ☐Spouse or partner continues living there
• ☐A beneficiary receives it
• ☐Several beneficiaries share ownership
• ☐One beneficiary may purchase the others' shares
• ☐Property should be sold
• ☐Property should become rental property
• ☐Property should be transferred through a trust
• ☐Unsure

Other Property

Special issues may include:

• ☐Property in another state
• ☐Property in another country
• ☐Ancestral land
• ☐Family land
• ☐Agricultural property
• ☐Shared ownership
• ☐Unclear title
• ☐Cultural or customary expectations
• ☐Other

14. My Business Legacy Plan

If I Become Unable to Work

Important systems that must remain operational:

• ☐Payroll
• ☐Banking
• ☐Client accounts
• ☐Contracts
• ☐Vendor relationships
• ☐Insurance
• ☐Licenses
• ☐Websites and domains
• ☐Email and technology systems
• ☐Other

After My Death

My preferred business outcome is:

• ☐Continue under family ownership
• ☐Transfer to a specific successor
• ☐Sell to a partner
• ☐Sell to employees
• ☐Sell to an outside buyer
• ☐Close the business
• ☐Unsure

Has this person agreed and prepared to serve?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Conversation needed

Business documents that may need review:

• ☐Operating agreement
• ☐Partnership agreement
• ☐Shareholder agreement
• ☐Buy-sell agreement
• ☐Business valuation
• ☐Insurance funding
• ☐Employment agreements
• ☐Intellectual-property ownership
• ☐Other

15. My Digital Legacy

List important digital assets and what should happen to them.

Platform legacy settings reviewed:

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Not applicable

16. My Personal and Sentimental Legacy

List meaningful belongings and the people or purposes connected to them.

Items may include:

• ☐Jewelry
• ☐Photographs
• ☐Letters
• ☐Recipes
• ☐Artwork
• ☐Religious objects
• ☐Cultural items
• ☐Clothing
• ☐Furniture
• ☐Family records
• ☐Awards
• ☐Collections
• ☐Books
• ☐Recorded messages
• ☐Other

17. My Charitable Legacy

Causes That Matter to Me

• ☐Faith or religious ministry
• ☐Education
• ☐Scholarships
• ☐Healthcare
• ☐Youth development
• ☐Community development
• ☐Cultural preservation
• ☐Poverty relief
• ☐Entrepreneurship
• ☐Disaster relief
• ☐Research
• ☐Other

Organizations I May Want to Support

I may need professional guidance regarding:

• ☐Charitable bequest
• ☐Beneficiary designation
• ☐Retirement-account gift
• ☐Donor-advised fund
• ☐Restricted gift
• ☐Scholarship fund
• ☐Foreign charitable giving
• ☐Donated property
• ☐Other

18. Equality, Fairness, and Family Expectations

My Distribution Philosophy

I believe fairness means:

• ☐Equal financial shares
• ☐Providing according to individual needs
• ☐Recognizing prior assistance
• ☐Recognizing caregiving contributions
• ☐Treating active and inactive business heirs differently
• ☐Preserving specific family property
• ☐Supporting vulnerable beneficiaries
• ☐Other

Would any intended distribution be unequal?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Unsure

Could the plan be misunderstood?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Possibly

Would an explanation be appropriate?

• ☐Family conversation
• ☐Letter of wishes
• ☐Attorney-drafted explanation
• ☐Private explanation to selected representatives
• ☐No explanation planned
• ☐Professional guidance needed

19. My Family Communication Plan

People Who Need to Know a Plan Exists

Topics I Need to Discuss

• ☐Who will serve as executor
• ☐Who will serve as trustee
• ☐Who will manage finances
• ☐Who will make healthcare decisions
• ☐Guardianship for children
• ☐Family home or land
• ☐Business succession
• ☐Beneficiary arrangements
• ☐Charitable wishes
• ☐Final arrangements
• ☐Document location
• ☐Digital assets
• ☐Other

20. My Final Wishes

Final Arrangements

My preference is:

• ☐Burial
• ☐Cremation
• ☐Donation for medical education or research
• ☐Undecided

Memorial Preferences

• ☐Religious service
• ☐Celebration of life
• ☐Private family service
• ☐Memorial donations
• ☐Specific music or readings
• ☐Obituary instructions
• ☐Repatriation to another state or country
• ☐Other

21. My Important Document Plan

Documents I Currently Have

22. My Professional Planning Team

23. My Legacy Planning Gaps

Mark any area that still requires attention.

• ☐No current will
• ☐Will needs updating
• ☐Trust needs review
• ☐Trust is not fully funded
• ☐Beneficiaries need updating
• ☐No contingent beneficiaries
• ☐Financial power of attorney missing
• ☐Healthcare directive missing
• ☐Representatives have not agreed to serve
• ☐Minor-child planning incomplete
• ☐Special-needs planning required
• ☐Business succession incomplete
• ☐Real estate ownership unclear
• ☐International property needs legal review
• ☐Digital assets not organized
• ☐Charitable plan not documented
• ☐Family communication still needed
• ☐Final wishes not documented
• ☐Documents are difficult to access
• ☐Tax questions remain
• ☐Insurance needs review
• ☐Other

The Three Most Important Gaps

24. My 90-Day Legacy Action Plan

25. My Annual Legacy Review

Review Triggers

I will review my plan after:

• ☐Marriage
• ☐Divorce or separation
• ☐Remarriage
• ☐Birth or adoption
• ☐Death of a beneficiary
• ☐Death or incapacity of a representative
• ☐Major health change
• ☐Retirement
• ☐Moving to another state or country
• ☐Buying or selling real estate
• ☐Starting or selling a business
• ☐Receiving an inheritance
• ☐Major financial change
• ☐Change in family relationships
• ☐Change in charitable goals
• ☐Change in law
• ☐Other

My Final Legacy Reflection